BURUNDI, Innocent Kabarundi and Diomède Mujojoma. After three weeks of preparation, ninety-nine families in the Bujumbura deanery received their home shrines. For three weeks, the candidates learnt what a Shrine is: the origins of the Home shrine within the Schoenstatt Movement, the church’s teaching on shrines, how to prepare for a Home shrine, the connection between the home shrine the Original Shrine and the Daughter Shrines, the connection between the Home shrine and the family members, and the advantages of having a home shrine. After each session, families who already have home shrines gave their testimonies, drawing on the fruits of the home shrine. Four things are needed to institute a home shrine: a crucifix, an image of the Blessed Mother, a Bible, and a rosary. These families want the Blessed Mother to work miracles of grace in their families, like she does in her shrine at Mount Zion Gikungu. Everyone shone with joy.
Fr. Félicien, who celebrated the Mass during which the shrines were blessed, focused on the four symbols:
The image of the Blessed Mother reminds us that Mary is the Mother of God and of men. She was with the apostles in the cenacle, comforting them. The crucifix announces the goods news of Christ’s resurrection, the victory of life over death. The Bible calls families to share the Word of God within the family, and the rosary invites all the family members to pray together.
Following the example of the Apostle John, you will take the Blessed Mother home with you
Fr. Félicien said that the Blessed Mother comforted the apostles in the cenacle. She is the one who brings the Church into the world. He explained that “you will take the Blessed Mother home with you, and she will teach you the Word of God. She goes with the Holy Family of Nazareth, and she will be with you, just as she was at the wedding feast of Cana. First, allow yourselves to receive the Holy Spirit, call on him. Your families should also become cenacles, a place of prayer. Welcome the Holy Spirit in your families so that he can help you to pray well. God will take his place in your homes. However, having a home shrine goes hand in hand with conversion, a change of behavior. A husband who habitually stays out late in the clubs will change and return home early to pray with his wife and children, being better educators for them. The same thing applies to the women.
Like the John the disciple, you will take the Blessed Mother home with you. Don’t keep her only on these images. First and foremost, you should carry her in your hearts so that shrine you’ve been given can also be a gift to your brothers and sisters, your neighbors. If someone comes to visit you, remember to invite them to your home shrine and place that person in the hands of God the Father and the Virgin Mary.”
The presence of the shrine in your homes will not solve your family problems
Fr. Félicien did not forget to explain that the “the presence of the shrine in your homes will not solve your family problems. But the Lord Jesus and the Blessed Mother are there to help you endure them with joy and love.”
He concluded by saying, “Nothing without you, nothing without us!” The Blessed Mother needs our sacrifices and us. Fr. Félicien invited those receiving the shrine to have a jar where sacrifices and intentions can be placed each day, and then bring them as contributions to the capital of grace to the Mount Zion Gikungu Shrine. “In this way, the Holy Spirit will transform you, and transform your families into true Christians, true witnesses to the resurrection of Jesus Christ.”
After a sermon so rich in advice, Fr. Félicien blessed the home shrine symbols that the families had brought with them. We remember that the symbols are a crucifix, a picture of the Mother Thrice Admirable, the bible and a rosary. The fact that the Mass took place in the Shrine is a symbol that the home shrines have their origin in the Mount Zion Gikungu Shrine and are bound to the Shrine. The next home shrine preparation course will take place in September.
On a different note, the pupils of the Minago parish, who were on pilgrimage to the shrine together with their parish priest, also participated in the Mass.
Source: www.sanctuaire-mont-sion.net
Sarah-Leah Pimentel, Johannesburg, So. Africa: English translation
